New dates, new location and new look for Auckland Seafood Festival

The Auckland Seafood Festival is on the move. Held for the past 2 years on the last weekend in September in the area around the Auckland Fish Market, the all new event will take place at the Halsey Street Wharf Extension over the Auckland Anniversary Weekend (24th, 25th and 26th January 2009).

The Festival will be bigger and better in every way and will run over three days instead of two with plenty of entertainment, education and culture to compliment the array of delicious seafood at this celebration of the fruits of the sea. Eric Barratt, CEO of Sanford, who own the event says “The Seafood Festival in a new location on the wharf surrounded by water in the middle of summer will be an exciting event not to be missed.”

The event will continue to be carbon neutral and the popular Blessing of the Fleet ceremony and the Greasy Pole contest will return. A new competition stage will be introduced featuring fun events such as fish filleting and oyster shucking competitions.

The hours of the Festival will also change. In January 2009 the event starts and ends later. Hours will be 12.00 noon till nine pm. The shift in date was designed to ensure the best weather for this popular outdoor event and to compliment the range of other summer activities on offer over Auckland’s Anniversary Weekend.

"Auckland City Council is thrilled to be able to provide Aucklanders with an exciting array of Anniversary Weekend celebrations in January 2009” says Councillor Greg Moyle, Chair - Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee.  “The Auckland Seafood Festival, which the Council is sponsoring in partnership with Heart of the City, will be a core part of this fun and colourful weekend, offering a uniquely Auckland experience and one that reflects our maritime heritage and celebrates our city's anniversary." 

Proceeds from the 2009 Auckland Seafood Festival will go towards the fight against ‘P’. Rae Ah Chee, President of The Rotary Club of Auckland East Inc explains. “The Rotary Club of Auckland East, a joint promoter of the Festival, is excited to continue its involvement with the Auckland Seafood Festival. A significant portion of the profits from the Festival will assist Rotary with funding the education of youth and parents on the perils and danger of Methamphetamine, more commonly known as “P”. Our aim is to reduce the prevalence of methamphetamine in New Zealand communities, thereby protecting people, preventing social harms and strengthening communities”.

www.aucklandseafoodfestival.co.nz

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